Figure 7: Pressure to biodiversity loss in Lao PDR Indirect drivers: Direct drivers: Economic activity Habitat loss and degradation Population growth Socio-political factors Over-exploitation of natural resources Biodiversity loss Invasive Alien Species Pollution Climate Change 3.1. D IRECT DRIVERS TO BIODIVERSITY LOSS Habitat loss and degradation: Habitat loss and degradation are the primary threats to the survival of wildlife in the Lao PDR, and are mostly caused by the expansion of agricultural land, forest product extraction, infrastructure expansion, and fires. Forest Product extraction: The Lao PDR is rich in forests.
They are a vital economic resource and provide an essential contribution to the consumption and income of the rural poor, as well as conserving biodiversity, soil, and water values. The rural population, who make up about 80 per cent of the Lao population, relies heavily on the forest for food, fuel, fiber, and shelter. Despite the importance of the resource, deforestation and forest degradation are accelerating at an alarming rate. Timber harvesting, fuel wood gathering, charcoal making, and NTFP (e.g. rattan, bamboo, resin, and other products) collection result to in widespread deforestation and forest degradation.
With the development of new international financing mechanisms to address the benefits that forests provide, reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation has been identified as the most cost effective way to mitigate climate change. Therefore, avoiding deforestation has become a priority for the Lao PDR (MoNRE, 2012). 16